February 2026 Visa Bulletin: What Green Card Applicants Need to Know

The U.S. Department of State has released the February 2026 Visa Bulletin, giving green card applicants an updated picture of how long they may need to wait. While this month does not bring dramatic changes across the board, several key categories did move forward, and one important program faced a setback.

If you are tracking your priority date closely, even small changes can make a big difference.

Understanding the Visa Bulletin Basics

The Visa Bulletin uses two types of dates:

• Final Action Dates – When USCIS or a U.S. consulate can actually approve and issue a green card.

• Dates for Filing – When applicants may submit their paperwork, even if a green card is not yet available.

When a date moves forward, it generally means shorter waiting times. When it stays the same, processing is essentially on hold.

Family-Sponsored Green Card Updates

F1 – Unmarried Adult Children of U.S. Citizens

• Mexico only: Filing Date moves forward by about two months

• All other countries: No change

F2A – Spouses & Children of Green Card Holders

• Final Action Dates: No movement

• Dates for Filing: Move forward one month worldwide, offering a small but helpful improvement

F2B – Unmarried Adult Children of Green Card Holders

• Mexico only:

  • Final Action Date advances three months

  • Filing Date also advances three months

• All other countries: No change

F3 – Married Children of U.S. Citizens

• No movement in any country

F4 – Siblings of U.S. Citizens

• No movement across all countries, including India, Mexico, China, and the Philippines

Employment-Based Green Card Updates

EB-1 – Priority Workers

• No changes this month

• Most countries remain current

• China and India stay at February 1, 2023

EB-2 – Advanced Degrees & Exceptional Ability

• No movement for most countries

• Mexico only: Final Action Date advances by nearly four months

EB-3 – Skilled Workers & Professionals

This category shows the biggest improvement of the month:

• Final Action Dates:

  • Advance to June 1, 2023, for most countries, including Mexico and the Philippines

• Dates for Filing:

  • Move forward three months to October 1, 2023, for most countries

• China & India: No movement

EB-3 – Other Workers

• No changes to either chart

EB-4 – Certain Religious Workers

• Now unavailable for February

• This is the most significant negative change in the bulletin

 EB-5 – Investors

• No changes in any category

• Set-aside categories (Rural, High Unemployment, Infrastructure) remain current.

Final Thoughts

The February 2026 Visa Bulletin brings selective progress:

• Modest improvements for family-based applicants (mostly Mexico)

• Meaningful forward movement in EB-3

• A setback for Religious Workers

Because visa movement can change quickly, strategy matters. Knowing when to file — and how — can make a real difference in your case.

Call Us Today if you are unsure how these changes affect you before taking your next step.

A 50-State Immigration Law Firm